Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland is not the most followed footballer, but he is the one defences fear most. ESPN's numbers make the point in one line: 9 Premier League goals in 8 matches.

The numbers

ESPN has the next best total at 6, held by Liverpool's Alexander Isak. Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier and Chelsea's João Pedro have 5. Haaland is therefore three clear of everyone else on ESPN's list.

He won the Golden Boot last season with 27 goals, after Mohamed Salah took the 2024/25 award, and has now won three in four seasons, according to the Premier League. On ESPN's latest table Manchester City are top on goal difference: 21 points from 9 games, level with Arsenal, who have played 8. City's goal difference is +10 against Arsenal's +8.

His assists do not appear in the ESPN list, so we are not giving a figure. IBTimes had him on 40 million Instagram followers in February: far fewer than Ronaldo or Messi, but a striker's audience is built on goals and he supplies them.

What nobody else does

Haaland turns a six-yard box into a private property. He gets there before the defender can stand in front of him, and he finishes with a first touch that rarely gives anyone a second chance. Most scorers need space. He needs the cross to be good enough.

That makes City simple to read but hard to stop. Opponents know the ball is going to him, so the useful question is whether Rayan Cherki, who has four league goals, and the rest of the supporting cast keep giving defenders other problems.

What's next

An early lead with Arsenal one game behind. The Premier League is a long race, but 9 goals in 8 games is the sort of start that makes a long race look short.